Elevates Local, Sustainable Food Sourcing

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SDG 2 in Action — Prioritizing Local and Sustainable Products

In a bold move to align campus operations with global sustainability goals, Redeemer’s University has embraced the principle that a healthier institution begins with a locally rooted food system. Through its RUNWA Urban Agricultural Initiative, the university is gradually transforming its dining and procurement practices, placing emphasis on sourcing food from within and around campus. This is a strategic step toward ensuring that the cafeterias and food vendors are not just convenient, but ethically and environmentally responsible.



RUNWA Urban Agricultural Initiative: Cultivating a Self-Sustaining Food Ecosystem

The RUNWA (Redeemer’s University Women’s Association) led urban agricultural initiative is a key example of the university’s commitment. According to the university’s official announcement, the Vice Chancellor commended RUNWA for spearheading urban agriculture efforts that could benefit the campus communityREAD MORE

While precise details on scale and output remain to be fully documented, the intent is clear: to produce fresh, healthy food items locally, reduce dependency on external suppliers, and create a sustainable cycle where campus demand is partly met by campus supply.

Through this initiative, the university signals several aspirations:

  • Shortening supply chains: When vegetables or herbs are grown near cafeterias, transportation emissions and spoilage risks are lowered.
  • Support for sustainable practices: Campus farming allows tighter control over how food is grown (e.g. minimizing chemical use, water conservation).
  • Cost control and pricing stability: Local sourcing can buffer cafeterias against price volatility in external markets.
  • Educational synergies: Farming operations on campus also serve as living laboratories for students in agriculture, sustainability, and environmental science.


How Local Procurement Supports the SDG 2 Indicator

Within the THE Impact Rankings’ SDG 2 methodology, one key metric is whether a university prioritises purchasing products from local, sustainable sources. Here’s how the RUNWA initiative helps Redeemer’s stand out:

  • Demonstrates institutional commitment: Having a formal program (urban agriculture) signals proactive policy, not just rhetoric.
  • Evidence of supply linkage: If produce from the campus farm is sold/used in campus cafeterias, it provides concrete proof of local procurement.
  • Sustainability embedded in operations:Campus farming lets the university control production methods — aligning supply with broader sustainability aims.
  • Measurement potential: Over time, the university can quantify the share of cafeteria inputs coming from local sources (e.g. “20% of vegetables used in cafeterias come from RUNWA farm”).

To fully satisfy the Impact Ranking metric, the university will need to document and provide evidence that local sourcing is institutionally prioritized (procurement policies, vendor preference) and operationally implemented (actual purchases, volume, cost).



Voices from the Field: Campus Farmers, Kitchen Managers, Students

While detailed interviews are still forthcoming, the public commendation by the VC underscores institutional pride in the initiative. The RUNWA program is typically managed by staff and volunteers associated with the Women’s Association, with plans to expand cultivation across underutilized green spaces on campus.

In informal conversations, cafeteria managers have expressed interest in gradually integrating campus-grown produce into daily menu cycles, especially for salad ingredients, herbs, and leafy greens. Students in agricultural sciences classes often visit the farm plots for fieldwork, further bridging academic and operational spheres.



Challenges and Opportunities on the Path Forward

Challenges to scale:

  • Capacity and yield –Campus plots may struggle to meet large volumes needed by multiple cafeterias.
  • Seasonality & variety – If produce from the campus farm is sold/used in campus cafeterias, it provides concrete proof of local procurement.
  • Transition costs – Setting up irrigation, soil enrichment, pest management, and postharvest logistics takes investment.

Opportunities for growth:

  • Pilot to scale – Begin with herbs, greens, and high-margin crops that the farm can reliably produce.
  • Partnerships –Collaborate with local small-scale farmers around Ede or Osun State to complement internal production.
  • Data tracking – Introduce metrics to track the share of cafeteria inputs from local sources, growth over time, greenhouse gas savings, cost differentials.
  • Student engagement – Expand experiential learning for agriculture, sustainability, and business students via the farm.


Looking Ahead: What Success Could Look Like

In five years, Redeemer’s University could reach a stage where a meaningful proportion of cafeteria produce is sourced internally or from local farms operating under sustainable practices. This could lead to:

  • Lowered food procurement costs
  • Reduced carbon footprint from food transport
  • Healthier, fresher menu options
  • Enhanced institutional reputation in sustainability

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